Naturally, he was armed to the teeth. He was swinging a cutlass and wore a brace of pistols across his chest. But the goal of his attack was self-promotion - not blood or booty.

"Are we celebrating the mayor? No!" he shouted, once he was standing on the dock near the Radisson Hotel.

"Are we celebrating your governor in Virginny? No!"

"Some president of your United States? No!"

In fact, Blackbeard - whose real name is Ben Cherry - was in town Thursday hyping the first Blackbeard Festival, set to take place in Hampton June 16-18. The event will be presented in conjunction with OpSail 2000, happening that same weekend throughout Hampton Roads.

Cherry, a resident of Plymouth, N.C., makes his living portraying Blackbeard, one of the most famous pirates ever to sail the seas. He'll be the star of the festival, which will include historical re- enactments, live music, carnival rides for children, and a mock funeral parade for Blackbeard, whose real name was Edward Teach.

Hampton lays claim to a part of Blackbeard's real-life history. In 1718, the governor of Virginia dispatched a team of sailors to capture the pirate. After a battle at Ocracoke Inlet in North Carolina, Blackbeard was killed. According to legend, his severed head was brought back to Virginia and put atop a pole at the entrance to Hampton harbor.

Despite the more grisly aspects of that legend, local leaders are expecting the festival to entertain all ages.

"It's going to be fun," Hampton Mayor Joe Spencer said. "It's a natural tie-in. And I can tell that the enthusiasm is spreading."

Sam McDonald may be reached at 247-4732 or by e-mail at smcdonald@dailypress.com